City centre manager Paul Williams said the centre thoroughly deserved the award for its achievement in redefining Cardiff’s retail and leisure scene.

Although not full when it opened last October, St David’s has attracted a host of new retailers to Cardiff.

The clothing shop Luke 1977 is the latest to announce it is opening its first Cardiff branch in St David’s. Fashion retailer All Saints has also announced sales at its St David’s store have been so good it is expanding into the vacant unit next door.

Further major names are expected to announce they are coming to the centre, which attracted around one million shoppers a week in the run-up to Christmas.

Last month the team behind St David’s won two Purple Apple Awards at the British Council of Shopping Centre’s marketing awards. St David’s was also shortlisted for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Wales Regeneration Award.

Cardiff council leader Rodney Berman said: “This award is the icing on the cake of a development that is bringing to Cardiff £250m of new annual spending each year and providing a huge economic boost for the city.

Cardiff has a great mix in terms of the retail experience - next page

“With the city centre’s Victorian arcades and the popularity of Queen Street, Cardiff has a great mix in terms of the retail experience. What St David’s has given us is a shopping centre par excellence that is worthy of any European capital and has turned the city into a truly unique retail destination.”

Mr Madeley said: “To receive international recognition for St David’s by winning this award is wonderful news. It is a fantastic endorsement which rewards everything that St David’s has achieved so far and we hope that our shoppers and Cardiff as a whole will be able to celebrate with us.

“The day-to-day running of St David’s aims to please every one of our shoppers, but it takes moments such as this to stand back and realise just what the centre has already accomplished. What makes St David’s completely unique is the mix of top-end brands, high street names and local independents.

“We have also been able to offer retailers the opportunity to bring their brand to Wales for the very first time with new, flagship stores.

“There was a lot of excitement in the build up to the launch of St David’s and we are confident that we have exceeded everyone’s expectations. The consistently high footfall throughout St David’s and the trading experience of our retailers is testament to it. The most exciting thing is that there is more to come throughout the year with new stores opening, existing retailers expanding and great new names being announced.”

Mr Williams said: “I’m delighted that St David’s has won this most prestigious award. It clearly underlines the impact and importance that the new development has had, not only in Cardiff but across Wales.

“The international shopping centre award recognises the many facets of shopping centres across the world. The result for St David’s enhances its profile and that of the city as a UK top six retail destination. The accolades bestowed on St David’s are deserved rewards, for a retail centre of excellence in terms of its branding, management and overall delivery of a multi-choice centre that is attracting a wide audience and one that has redefined Cardiff in terms of its retail and leisure offer.”

Cardiff Council leader Rodney Berman added: “I am delighted at the news that St David’s has won the International Shopping Centre of the Year Award. Since St David’s opened last year its popularity has spread far and wide and it is very satisfying for me to see that Cardiff council and the St David’s Partnership have delivered a world-class development.”